Celtic and Hibernian clashed at Easter Road on February 21, 2025, with both teams eager to secure valuable points as the Scottish Premiership title race heats up. Following a harrowing European outing, Celtic looked to bounce back against their formidable rivals, Hibernian.
Having suffered late heartbreak just days prior with a 94th-minute equalizer conceding the match to Bayern Munich, Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers knew the importance of focusing purely on domestic duties. The Hoops aimed to move 16 points clear of their closest pursuers, Rangers, pending their match later the same day.
Hibernian entered the encounter on solid footing, displaying impressive form with 12 unbeaten matches under the guidance of manager David Gray. During their run, they had led matches well, managing to accumulate six wins and five draws without tasting defeat since December 2024.
The atmosphere was electric as both teams took to the pitch. Hibernian set the pace early on, clearly intent on making their intentions known to Celtic. The home side managed to take the lead with two quick goals from Josh Campbell, putting them firmly in control at half-time. The first goal came from Campbell fine-tuning his instincts to divert the ball past Celtic's goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, after edging through their defense.
Celtic's response was noted by their determination to narrow the deficit, and they fashioned several chances throughout the half but remained unable to change the scoreboard. The visitors scraped together chances from players including Alistair Johnston and Daizen Maeda, yet their efforts either went wide or were dealt comfortably by the Hibernian defense, reinforced by goalkeeper Jordan Smith.
Throughout the match, Celtic looked to increase their pressure, with the likes of Luke McCowan orchestrate through midfield, feeding passes to Johnston who found himself with several good moments but without the decisive finish. Hibernian's resilience shone through, consistently thwarting Celtic's attempts, as they sought the opportunity to solidify their own aspirations for European football next season.
Into the second half, the intensity continued. Hibernian capitalized on their momentum, maintaining control as their supporters rallied behind them. Celtic struggled to reclaim rhythm, and their frustrations boiled over with tactical brawls as they were frequently caught offside. The visitors saw another chance vanish when Nicolas Kuhn's efforts were thwarted just moments before the final whistle.
Even as Celtic made substitutions aiming to inject new energy—bringing on options like Jota and Hatate—the goals continued to remain elusive. The Hibernian fans deservedly celebrated as both teams headed toward the final minutes with the scoreline still favoring the home side.
Final thoughts as the clock wound down saw Hibernian secure the victory with comprehensive end-to-end play. Their 2-0 win over Celtic was not just another three points; it was lived proof of their evolution as they looked forward to the second half of the season, holding aspirations for European football.
This match served as tough lessons for Celtic. Defeat here could impact their momentum coming off their European exit, but it also underscored the fierce competition present within the Scottish Premiership as the race for the title heats up.
Fans and analysts will be left evaluating the outcome, and Hibernian will look forward to continue their good showing, proving they could challenge even the top sides, whereas Celtic will have to regroup quickly as they turn their focus to upcoming fixtures capable of shifting the narrative of their season.